Jazz Articles about Various Artists

Various Artists: The Jubilee Sessions

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 1999

We’ve all heard of big–band Jazz that really cooks, but can the recipe call for music that is rare and also well done? Before dismissing the idea out of hand, consider this remarkable three–disc boxed set from Hindsight Records. The Jubilee Sessions, recorded for radio broadcasts aimed primarily toward blacks serving in the Armed Forces during the World War II years (1943–46), not only provide a rare opportunity to hear some of the leading African–American Jazz ensembles of the mid–’40s, ...

Various Artists: Smooth Jazz Radio Hits, Volume One

by Robert Spencer
April 1, 1999

Oh yaaaaaaaaaaasssss, it's another smoothfest from Instinct Jazz, and this one, let me tell you, is smoother'n glass, smoother'n the finest crystal, smoother'n your bathroom mirror, and oh yaaasss, smoother'n yer baby's bottom.

It's two from the redoubtable Gota, three from the jam meister extraordinaire Count Basic, and one each from Soundscape UK, Brian Tarquin, Duncan Millar, Shakatak, Exodus Quartet, and Chris Standring.

If you do not know those names, and yet call yourself a smoothie, get this disc and ...

Various artists: Smooth Jazz for a Rainy Day

by Robert Spencer
April 1, 1999

Smooth Jazz for a Rainy Day promises exactly what it delivers, and delivers exactly what it promises: shimmering smooth music, not a hair out of place, well-executed and solidly danceable. This Instinct collection kicks off with Joe Fuentes' “Slow Brew," on which his reflective, musing guitar easing out over an elegant funk beat; it's a smooth opening to a goldmine for smoothies.

The elegant funk never lets up. On the second track, the more extroverted “Maybe Someday," Darren Motmedy plies ...

Various Artists: Blue Movies: Scoring For The Studios

by Larry Grogan
April 1, 1999

Another volume in 'The Blue Series', the deceptively titled 'Blue Movies' (actually compiled from a variety of (now) Capitol owned labels such as Blue Note, Pacific Jazz, Roulette and Tower, and a quarter of the cuts originating with TV) is one of the better entries in the series. Featuring a few rarities, a couple of absolute classics and only a few duds, the thematic coherence of 'Blue Movies' may be contrived but there's plenty to like.

Drawing from the 60's ...

Various Artists: Blue Bacharach

by Larry Grogan
April 1, 1999

The current (waning) resurgence in “Lounge" culture (loosely covering everything from soundtrack music, to lightweight pop-jazz, and the proto-World music of Martin Denny and Les Baxter) has created a corresponding demand for all things Bacharach. This icon of the 'swinging 60's', though long past his prime is finding new life as a nostalgic totem of Gen-X ironic detachment. This is really a shame because in his prime, Burt Bacharach was virtually unmatched in songwriting/arranging prowess, covering the bases from film ...

Various Artists: Big Band Favorites Of Sammy Nestico

by Jim Santella
April 1, 1999

Composer and arranger Sammy Nestico is best known for his tenures with the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, the U.S. Marine Corps’ White House orchestra, and the Count Basie big band. Summit Records’ session of Nestico’s arrangements is presented by several all-star bands, whose members reside and work in the Los Angeles area. Supporting successful big bands such as The Clayton-Hamilton orchestra, Bob Florence’s Limited Edition, Gerald Wilson’s big band, Bill Holman’s orchestra, and the Frank Capp Juggernaut, the ...

Various Artists: Big Band Favorites of Sammy Nestico

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

Here are 11 charts by the incomparable Sammy Nestico, apparently recycled by Summit Jazz from at least three uncredited sources. If you have the Al Sanada All–Star Big Band’s recent release, Playing Sammy Nestico (from which the liner notes for this disc were transcribed almost word–for–word) or Nestico’s album Dark Orchid, which dates from 1981, you’re no doubt familiar with most of these selections, as five were taken from the Sanada recording and four from Dark Orchid. The other two, ...